Pool/Billiard Cue/Shaft with Metal Ferrule

ABSTRACT

An improved one or more piece Pool/Billiard Cue/Shaft including those with a butt shaft and a proximal and a distal end utilizing a metal ferrule. The ferrule is a cylindrical metal body with an interior bore through the entire length. The ferrule can be of any metal material but specifically polished Stainless Steel. The ferrule is attached to the shaft of the Pool/Billiard cue by means of a tenon formed on the shaft. This will allow the ferrule to tightly engage the shaft of the cue and is secured by typical means of attachment, normally glue or epoxy. The tenon is extended to the end of the ferrule. A tip of leather or other material can then be attached using normal gluing methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to Pool/Billiard Cues

2. Description of the Art

A Pool/Billiard cue typically has an elongated shaft, a butt at one end and a ferrule mounted on the opposite or distal end which supports a tip. Pool/Billiard cues can be constructed of one or more pieces and jointed together. The ferrule is attached to the tapered end of the shaft by means of a tenon projecting out of the end of the shaft and inserted into the hollow bore of the ferrule.

Ferrules are typically made of plastic, phenolic, composites or natural materials. These ferrules can crack and/or break during use and therefore make the Pool/Billiard cue unusable. They also discolor with time, chalk, powder and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will provide a Pool/Billiard cue or shaft which utilizes a metal ferrule. The ferrule is attached to the Pool/Billiard cue or shaft typically by gluing or epoxying to the tenon. Any other metal can be used but polished hardened annealed stainless steel has been tested and shown in actual play with a prototype to be the most desirable and decoratively attractive. This material will virtually eliminate cracking, breaking or discoloration and while providing strength the metal ferrule also produces an extremely firm and solid hit when stroking the billiard ball. The weight of the metal ferrule is negligible as the wall of the ferrule is very thin in comparison to traditional ferrules. A thinner wall ferrule results in more wood surface area on which to attach a tip. This greater surface area will allow more energy transfer through the wood than conventional ferrules. The present invention can be utilized with any kind of wood and any type of shaft in which a tenon can be machined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following description and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a Pool/Billiard cue with a ferrule constructed in accordance of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the ferrule taken along line 6-6 shown in FIGS. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ferrule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring now to the drawings, a Pool/Billiard Cue comprises a shaft 1 having a longitudinal axis, a ferrule 3 mounted on a distal end 5 of the shaft and a tip 4 supported by the ferrule 3 and tenon 2. The ferrule 3 is made of metal and can be made of any metal material. However in testing with prototypes a polished, hardened, annealed stainless steel was much more desirable, playable and decoratively appealing.

The ferrule 3 is attached to the shaft 1 of the Pool/Billiard Cue by means of a tenon 2. The tenon 2 is formed on the shaft 1 and extends longitudinally outward from the distal end 5 of the shaft 1. In combination the tenon 2 is glued with a resin or epoxy inserted into the bore of the ferrule 3 until the end of it tightly engages the distal end 5 of the shaft 1. When adhesive is cured the end of the tenon 2/ferrule 3 is faced off flat to receive a tip 4.

The length of the ferrule 3 can be varied but ideally it should be between ½″-1 ¼″.

Tip 4 can be of any normally utilized tip material and glued and shaped to match the circumference of the ferrule 3. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved Pool/Cue Stick or shaft which utilizes a metal ferrule.
 2. The metal ferrule is attached to the tenon on the distal end of the shaft usually by_(FV) gluing with resin or epoxy.
 3. Any metal can be utilized, even chrome plated steel however tests with prototypes have proven that a hardened, annealed stainless steel ferrule is the most playable, desirable and attractive.
 4. The ferrule on resulting assembly is much more durable than conventional Pool/Cue Sticks with ordinary plastic or composite ferrule assemblies.
 5. The ferrule on the resulting assembly is non permeable and therefore will not discolor from chalk or talcum powder even with prolonged use.
 6. The ferrule on the resulting assembly is very resistant to scratching.
 7. The resulting assembly provides a very firm strike to the cue ball depending on the type and hardness of the tip installed. The softer the tip, the softer the hit etc.
 8. Tests with prototypes have shown incredible durability and control.
 9. The wall of the metal ferrule is very thin therefore allowing for a larger diameter tenon thus more wood surface area to attach the tip.
 10. The resulting assembly will allow more energy to be transferred through the shaft due to the large wood surface area of the tenon.
 11. The difference in weight of the assembly utilizing the metal ferrule is negligible compared to conventional thermoplastic ferrules as the metal ferrule wall is much thinner.
 12. The polished ferrule on the resulting assembly is not only fully functional and increases playability it is also very attractive, shiny and desirable. 